If you’re in the market for a luxury crossover, you’ve likely already looked at the standard fare from BMW and Mercedes – now it’s time to look for alternatives. The good news is that the Genesis GV80 ticks most of the boxes, provided you don’t need that extra slice of handling BMW is renowned for and you don’t want the throw-every-new-technology-and-see-what-sticks approach Mercedes takes to its vehicles these days. The GV80 has a sticker price that’s surprisingly affordable yet it doesn’t sacrifice what most owners are looking for when shopping in this segment.
Screen real estate and exciting handling come in moderation with Genesis, but the South Korean brand pours all of its special sauce into the interior, ride quality, and style of its big crossover, which can be configured with two or three rows.
Engine-wise, its base trim comes with a punchy four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower or a more authoritative turbocharged V6 generating 375 hp. Either way, the GV70 delivers more than its Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class rivals in base trims and keeps up in the top tiers.
Exterior: That’s How You Do A Big Grille
If it’s presence you want, the GV80 has it in spades. The big shield-style grille doesn’t look like it has been slapped on, and its imposing size actually works here. The overall design is timeless and owes some of its bold elegance to Bentley, which is no accident as former Bentley Director of Design, Luc Donckerwolke, was Chief Design Officer for the GV80. That doesn’t mean the GV80 is actually a baby Bentley, but it does set it apart from the sea of German cars in the executive parking lot.
Our test vehicle is the 3.5T Prestige Matte trim. As the name implies, it adds matte paint, 22-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a power hands-free liftgate, and a bunch of interior features that elevate it to the upper reaches of luxury.
Interior: Scaling Up
The interior of the GV80 is a welcoming, spacious place although headroom is not its high point (pun intended). Our tester came with the third row but without the captain’s chair, making space for eight occupants, albeit three cramped ones in the third row. The materials and build quality inside are excellent, and the Bentley-like styling continues here, becoming blatant when you squint and look at the steering wheel.
The interior could possibly be better ergonomically, and we found it odd that the dial for gear selection and the dial for controlling infotainment are next to each other. It feels like nit-picking, but the door pockets are too small for drink bottles, which is a misstep in a modern car. On the other hand, the tri-zone climate control system is one of the easiest to use we’ve come across recently.
When it comes to cargo space, the loading height is low, the liftgate opens wide, and there’s some underfloor storage to use, which makes it very practical.
Technology: Infotainment Interface Could Be Better
The infotainment system in the 2023 GV80 is in need of an update, and fortunately, there’s a refreshed 2025 model on the horizon that boasts a 27-inch OLED screen, along with other tech enhancements. Those buying the current model will have to put up with a knurled rotary wheel that could do with some refinement and an infotainment menu structure that isn’t the most intuitive.
On the positive side, the 14.5-inch main screen is crisp and clear and responds to inputs quickly. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay aren’t included for 2023, which is far from ideal, but when it comes to driver aids, they’re plentiful and the Highway Driving Assist system is one of the best out there. The generous safety suite has also resulted in the IIHS awarding the GV80 with a Top Safety Pick+ award for 2023.
On higher trims, the 21-speaker premium audio system by Lexicon is one of the sweeter sounding units out there – and that’s high praise from an audiophile. It’s an optional system that is added here courtesy of the Prestige Matte package.
Powertrain: Just Right
One of the few changes for 2023 is standard all-wheel-drive across the range, whether you choose the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 300 hp with 311 ft-lb of torque or the 3.5-liter turbo-six with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Power with both engines is distributed through a slick eight-speed automatic transmission.
Power from the six-cylinder engine comes in a smooth surge, befitting of a luxury car, and the GV80 is at home around town just as it is on the freeway. However, it does drink fuel without scruples, with the six-cylinder models getting a 20 mpg combined fuel economy number. The base engine is a little better at 20/24/22 mpg on city/highway/combined cycles.
On The Road: Easy Comfort
The key ingredients to a luxury vehicle are swiftness and comfort, and the GV80 delivers. The suspension is supple but without any excess chassis lean in corners. While it doesn’t have BMW-like driving dynamics, the GV80 is sure-footed enough to keep up a business-like pace on a back road. Road noise is filtered out nicely and with all that glass, visibility is excellent. Maneuverability in tight spaces is better than its size and heft suggest, and the light-but-not-too-light steering is communicable enough to be satisfying.
It’s worth bringing up the driving aids, which are plentiful but rarely give false positives or make you fight against them on tight roads. As we mentioned before, the Highway Driving Assist system is excellent and rarely needs correcting when engaged on a freeway. It’s as close to hands-free driving as most people will be comfortable with – you do need to keep your hands on the wheel, but the car does the work.
In Conclusion: A More Than Viable Alternative
The 2023 Genesis GV80’s $55,550 starting price is an attractive one for anyone shopping for something upmarket. It gets even better as you move through the trims; 3.5T models begin at $62,700. Pricing for 2024 is slightly higher – less than $2,000 on each trim, but it’s worth remembering a refreshed model is due for 2025.
Adding the optional packages makes the already feature-laden SUV an even more compelling alternative when you put it up against the German trinity, all of which cost quite a bit more to start. The only thing you’ll miss in the GV80 is the extra driving joy that comes with the German cars, or the gamer-nightclub vibe of a high-tier Mercedes.
Other than its excellent value, we also think the GV80 is one of the best-looking crossovers out there, and it turns heads – particularly with the beautiful but hard-to-photograph matte paint. The 2025 version will arrive alongside a coupe variant that will appeal to more style-conscious buyers.